Spitfires take to the sky to mark Battle of Britain's 70th anniversary

Ten historic Spitfire aircrafts have taken to the sky to mark the 70th anniversary of
the start of the Battle of Britain.

Their impressive display formed part of the Flying Legends air show at the Imperial War Museum in Duxford, Cambridgeshire, on Saturday.

It showcased the fighter’s development throughout the Second World War, from the rare Mk I Spitfire, one of the first designs, through to the Mk XIX, which became the last of the specialised photo reconnaissance Spitfires.

On Sunday, as part of the commemorations, an open air service will be held at Capel-le-Ferne near Folkestone in Kent, featuring three fly-pasts by Spitfires and Hurricanes.

Group Captain Patrick Tootal, secretary of the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust, said: "We pay tribute every year to The Few, the men of RAF Fighter Command who were at the forefront of preventing a German invasion, as well as to the many men and women whose support in so many ways helped to ensure that we all live in freedom today....

More Comments:

Donald Wolberg -
7/14/2010

What remarkable aircraft, flown by remarkable pilots, and so many gave their lives to hold back the Nazi tide of bombers sent by Goering and Hitler. We so easily forget the machines of the day that transformed the world of flight, fought the Germans and the Italians and the Japanese. It is ironic that Mitsubishi sends us cars now and not Zero fighters or Betty bombers. The stories are also rich with names such as Hurricane, Warhawk, Corsair, Thunderbolt, Lightning, and of course Mustang. The development of these changed technology and in the destruction of their design, the modern era of flight was born.But Curtis does not make airplanes any more, and Republic and Chance-Vought are gone. The world has moved on but some Spitfires still fly.